Funke Busari, Lagos
Police Campaign Against Cultism and other Social Vices, POCACOV has been officially launched in Lagos on Thursday.
POCACOV is an advocacy group against cultism and other social vices.
The event held at the Parade Ground, Police College, Ikeja had in attendance security managers, religious leaders, the youths, students, heads of the armed forces, other security agencies, senior police officers and Police Community Relations Committee in the State.
Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator, POCACOV, CSP. Ebere Amarizu gave a brief on the establishment, duties and achievements of the unit.
He encouraged youths and all the stakeholders to support the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, on the fight against cultism and other social vices across the country.
He promised that the campaign will be launched and spread across the states of the federation.
Also, Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Mobolaji Gaji, appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, the Lagos State Police Command and organisers of the event for initiating such a laudable campaign structure against cultism and social vices at a time like this.
The governor assured the police of adequate support towards maintenance of law and order; and combating crimes and criminality in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu commended the Inspector-General of Police for the establishment of the unit.
The Police boss also commended the government and people of Lagos State for providing the wherewithal and legal framework to the police to fight cultism in the state as the new Lagos State Anti-Cultism Law, 2021 provides. He stressed that the law has been fully implemented.
CP Odumosu also confirmed that 60 suspected cultists were charged to the Chief Magistrate court, Yaba, on Wednesday, 31st March, 2021 and assured that many cultists will still be apprehended and prosecuted with the same law.
The Oniru of Iru-Land, Oba Gbolahan Lawal, represented by Retired CSP. Fisayo Ishola, Chief Imam of Lagos State and the State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, appreciated the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force on efforts towards combating crimes and criminality in all ramifications in the state and beyond.
The event chaired by His Excellency, Ambassador Aminu Wisdom had in attendance other stakeholders in the State including Honourable Setonji David, a representative of the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Mudashir Obasa, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Onikan-Lagos, AIG Ahmed Iliyasu and the chairman Police Community Relations Committee, Lagos State, Apostle Kehinde Showemimo.
The stakeholders promised to contribute their quota to the fight against the societal menaces of cultism, rape, gangsterism, hooliganism, etc, which must be totally eradicated for peace to reign in the country.
